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Econ+Maths joint honours, or straight Econ?

Hi, I'm an international year 13 student studying IB (taking Maths A&A, Econ and Physics at Higher Level).

I'm applying for econ courses, but I've been increasingly considering Maths and Economics joint honours courses at unis like Bristol, Bath and Notts. Now although my maths is decent (working at a 7 in IB), I've never been the strongest in it - for example I've never gotten above a silver in the UKMT challenges. After looking at some of the modules in a Maths+Econ joint honours degree (looking at you complex analysis), I'm not sure if I'd be up to it! On one hand it would almost certainly open up more career paths (which is good as I'm not entirely sure what to do after uni), but on the other it may come at the expense of grades.

Perhaps I'm overthinking this and asking a dumb question, but can anyone share some advice/indicators that someone would be successful in a Maths+Econ degree? Happy to provide more info if needed.

Reply 1

McGinger

Do you actually enjoy studying Maths?

Reply 2

thegeek888

Original post by yell_oo

Hi, I'm an international year 13 student studying IB (taking Maths A&A, Econ and Physics at Higher Level).
I'm applying for econ courses, but I've been increasingly considering Maths and Economics joint honours courses at unis like Bristol, Bath and Notts. Now although my maths is decent (working at a 7 in IB), I've never been the strongest in it - for example I've never gotten above a silver in the UKMT challenges. After looking at some of the modules in a Maths+Econ joint honours degree (looking at you complex analysis), I'm not sure if I'd be up to it! On one hand it would almost certainly open up more career paths (which is good as I'm not entirely sure what to do after uni), but on the other it may come at the expense of grades.
Perhaps I'm overthinking this and asking a dumb question, but can anyone share some advice/indicators that someone would be successful in a Maths+Econ degree? Happy to provide more info if needed.

I went to the LSE Open Day talk for Maths and Economics and Economics. They loved those that offered Maths, Physics, and Economics. But they stressed a strong preference for Further Maths!!! Also, the first year of Maths and Economics at LSE, Bristol, Nottingham, Bath, KCL, UCL, QMUL, Warwick, Cambridge, Imperial, Durham, York, Edinburgh and Manchester is mostly A-Level Further Maths content. So, the ultimate question is do you see yourself wanting to succeed in the Further Maths content? 🙂

Reply 3

yell_oo

Original post by thegeek888

Thanks for this! I was under the impression that it would be a much bigger step up from Further Maths in first year.

Reply 4

thegeek888

Original post by yell_oo

Thanks for this! I was under the impression that it would be a much bigger step up from Further Maths in first year.

UCL has Statistics in Year 1:

1. Probability Basics
2. Random Variables, Expectations
3. Discrete/Continuous Distributions
4. Law of Large Numbers, Central Limit Theorem
5. Statistics Basics
6. Point/Interval Estimation
7. Hypothesis Testing
8. The Linear Regression Model

Cambride has this: Which is basically P1-3 and CP1, CP2 and some of FP1.

Mathematics - Content The mathematics teaching for the paper will assume that candidates are familiar with the material set out below (which is basically the content of the Core Mathematics modules C1 – C4 of a standard ALevel Mathematics course): Sets, notation and basic facts; Definition of integers, rational and real numbers; Indices; Pairs of simultaneous linear equations; Quadratic equations; Graphs of linear and quadratic equations, and simple coordinate geometry; Definition of function, domain, range and inverse function, composition of functions; An intuitive notion of limits and continuity; Differentiation and its geometric interpretation, rate of change; Natural logarithm and exponential function; Differentiation of natural log and exponential functions; Product, quotient and chain rules for differentiation; Differentiation of polynomial functions; Multi-variable functions and partial derivatives; Integrals as anti-derivatives, definite integrals; Sequences, series, sum of geometric progression; Unconstrained optimisation of a function of one variable; Integration of 1/x and exponential function; Integration by substitution and by parts; Vectors (addition, subtraction and scalar product).

Calculus and optimisation Functions from reals to reals, limits, continuity, and differentiation. Polynomials, exponential and logarithm functions. Convexity and concavity. Unconstrained optimisation. Sequences and series.
Taylor series approximations. Integration as anti-derivative, definite integrals, connection with probability distributions. Multivariable functions, partial derivatives, total differentials. Unconstrained optimisation of functions of more than one variable. Homogenous functions and Euler’s theorem. Concave and convex functions of more than one variable. Lagrangian techniques in optimisation, economic applications and interpretation (such as the Lagrange multiplier as a shadow price). Linear algebra Vector spaces, linear transformations, and matrices. Solving systems of linear equations: matrix inversion. Elementary properties of determinants. Positive and negative definite matrices, eigenvalues: applications in unconstrained optimisation problems. Simple applications of linear algebra in Economics. Difference and differential equations Simple difference and differential equations, models of price and quantity adjustment.

Linear algebra Vector spaces, linear transformations, and matrices. Solving systems of linear equations: matrix inversion. Elementary properties of determinants. Positive and negative definite matrices, eigenvalues: applications in unconstrained optimisation problems. Simple applications of linear algebra in Economics. Difference and differential equations Simple difference and differential equations, models of price and quantity adjustment.